Trombonist Jeff Bradshaw has just released his fifth album entitled Twenty. The album is a culmination of his 20 year career as a recording artist who’s toured with Jill Scott, Patti LaBelle, and more. Our editor in chief Toya Haynes sat down with him to talk about the album, life lessons, and what he imparts to the new generation of the musicians who look up to him as an OG.
PSN: Congratulations on 20 years of music! Tell us all about your new project, 20, how that came about and how it tells the story of your life.
Jeff Bradshaw: 20 is the culmination of twenty years of artistry, twenty years of me being a father, husband, son, all of those things; Musician, producer, writer, activist, and recording artist.
I’ve been in the music business now for twenty eight years but being an artist for twenty years has been amazing; amazing tours with amazing artists. But this album is my best work.
PSN: Singer and songwriter Eric Roberson returns on this record. He’s on your latest single “Take Some Time”. Tell us about working with him.
Jeff Bradshaw: Oh yeah, “Make Some Time”, a song everybody seems to love. Every day there’s more and more outpouring of love for this incredible record. It’s produced by Isaac Phillips and written by the great Eric Roberson, who is so underrated as a writer. He’s an incredible writer, a great wordsmith.
I got the track from Isaac which was amazing. When I heard the record, I said I gotta send this to Eric. I think Eric is gonna be the right person to join me on this record. I sent it to Eric and and he sent it back to me like two days later.
It’s about two people with very busy lives. He has to make time for him. She has to make time for her. They have to make time for each other, and then they can make time for love. It’s a very, very simple story, . We’ve all reached that point, especially in my business. You know, in this music business, I have failed at many relationships because of not knowing how to balance time with career because when you’re running for the crown, that’s all you see is running for the crown; Make some money for the babies, get back to running for the crown, make some money for the babies. Get back to running for the crown…
PSN: Lots of relatable themes on this record. Another is the first single “Carrie’s Bread Pudding” which is about your mother. Please tell us about that song and especially about that bread pudding.
Jeff Bradshaw: “Carrie’s Bread Pudding” is a song about Carrie; Carrie Bradshaw who picked cotton in South Carolina from the age of nine to 14. Moved to Philadelphia with my father, the late Norman Bradshaw, and me and my two older sisters who were born here in Philadelphia. She is one of the most incredible people walking this planet. I was raised on her famous bread. (Her bread) pudding is the best bread pudding on this side of heaven. And listen, at the very young age of 83, I felt it was time to pay tribute to my amazing mother.
PSN: A lot of the younger musicians call you guys “the OGs” because of how they look up to you. For those musicians that are coming up now, what are some of the things that you impart to them?
Jeff Bradshaw: Every chance that you have free time, sharpen your tools, practice, get in the woodshed, and be prepared. Preparation is one of your greatest weapons. So when you get an opportunity and somebody calls you to be a part of something, you are prepared and ready to go. Your preparation is so important.
This is something else I always say in every interview: in 2000 I was touring with Jill Scott. Quincy Jones came to the show so we got to talk with him. He’s a horn player so of course he gravitated to us. You know, me and my boy Matt Cappy, (trumpet player who’s toured over 20 years) we knew we didn’t have much time. We weren’t gonna have him long. So after he commented us on our beautiful arrangements and how we arranged around Jill’s voice and her lyrics, I just asked him, “Can you give me any words of wisdom that can help me? Anything you can tell me about sustainability in this business?” And he said, “You are who you can call. Relationships are everything.”
PSN: I love that you bring this point up because just a few weeks ago I was watching Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. I love the community and the feel of that day and you were there! It’s interesting that you bring up Matt Cappy too because he was right beside you along with a young Adam Blackstone before the Oscars, before the Super Bowl… You know, it’s one of those things that has been said so many times: in any touring band, you’re gonna find at least one musician from Philadelphia.
I wanna ask you, what is it that is so special about Philadelphia musicians?
Jeff Bradshaw: I say within the last few generations… we’re just special! It’s the soil of greatness. This Philadelphia music soil, it’s so rich with history and greatness from Jazz to R&B to Gospel. It’s a blessing to be from this town. When you’re from Philly, everybody knows. “Where you from?” “We’re from Philly.” “Yeah, we know y’all from Philly” (laughs). We let you know. It’s a beautiful thing.
I think that there’s a sense of camaraderie with our musicians, even our younger guys now as well. I love our young lions. I love all these young musicians. I just love to just go and see them and put my hands on them and hug them; let them know that you guys are going the right way… to give ’em advice. I go out to a couple places like Time and Silk City for Studio Wednesdays that Hiruy Tirfe is doing once a month. I just go out see the younger guys and they respect us. They respect the OGs. I think as long as we are kind to the next generation and continue to pour into them and show up to some of their events to show love, we will continue to bridge the gap right. As long as we continue to do that, as they become OGs and they welcome the next generation in, a rich history of great musicians and great artists will always come from this town.